KEBANO OUT TO KIBOSH RAMS
Neeskens: There will be sympathy but no mercy at Derby
NEESKENS KEBANO admitted he feels sympathy for his fellow pros at bottom club Derby – but he will show them no mercy on Wednesday night.
The Cottagers will be going for an eighth straight win at Pride Park after dismantling next-to-bottom Barnsley.
DR Congo winger Kebano scored his fourth goal of the season to make it 3-0 in the 73rd minute as Fulham took their tally during this winning streak to 25.
More worryingly for the Rams, Kebano also believes Marco Silva’s side can go up another level. He said: “I know Derby are in a tough situation for now, but we are footballers, we are professional and we have to do our job and will try to win that game. It is as simple as that.
“We have to be ruthless. We have to respect the teams we play and if we have to win 2-0, 4-0 or 6-0 then we just have to do it and show no sympathy.
“As a team and individuals we can always be better. For now we are playing at a top level, but we always know there is a next level to unlock. So we just have to focus on improving every game.”
It is scary to think that Aleksandar Mitrovic can raise his game any higher than it is right now.
The Serbia striker netted his 21st goal of the season as he scored for the seventh consecutive game with a 23rd-minute header.
Kebano added: “It is just a joy to watch Mitro every week.
“Honestly, I don’t know of anyone who is like him in the air. Hopefully, he carries on like this and keeps scoring this amount of goals.”
Fabio Carvalho doubled the lead after a smart one-two with Mitrovic on 34 minutes.
Neeskens turned in a Harry Wilson cross and the Wales forward added the fourth three minutes after Tykes sub Victor Adeboyejo’s 78th-minute goal, following Cauley Woodrow heading against a post.
It did not make great viewing for Barnsley’s new manager Poya Asbaghi, who takes over from caretaker boss Joe Laumann today.
Tykes striker Carlton Morris, who returned from injury to make his first start since August, said: “We met the new manager on Friday and everyone was really positive because he is a really positive person. We are confident we can get out of this situation.”